Folding box



A l V April 2, 1963 R. L. IGNELL 3,083,890

FOLDING BOX 1N VEA/TOR Korf Umane XIQHQLL BMW JW April 2, 1963 R.IGNl-:LL 3,083,890

FOLDING Box Filed July 5, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR B Roh( LennaxQHQLL @muy April 2, 1963 R. 1 IGNELL 3,083,890

FOLDING BOX Filed July 5, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 NVENTOR RobC Qn-nofgneLL JOM QAWMMQMM April 2, 1963 R. L.. IGNELL 3,083,890

FOLDING Box Filed July 5, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 /V VENTOR /DOH Lam/)affgHeLL April 2, 1963 R. 1 IGNELL 3,083,890

FOLDING BOX Filed July 5. 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 /VVE/VTR @olf LennarfZgneLL April 2, 1963 R. L. IGNELL 3,083,890

FOLDING Box l Filed July 5, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Pigna,-

mvg/WOR Rolf ermar [5l/76M 3,0%,899 FQLDING BOX Rolf Lennart Ignell,Bolxusvagen 3, Lund, Sweden Filed July 5, 1960, Ser. No. 40,679 Claimspriority, application SwedenJuly 4, 1959 9 Claims. (Cl. 229-l6) Thepresent invention relates to a iiat folding boxof buckling-stiffcard-board material or the like and of the kind to be set-up into aright-angled parallelepipedon package and having four pairwise congruentand opposite, preferably rectangular side wall panels of equal lengths,said side wall panels being hinged to each other through four parallellongitudinal score lines defining the longsides of the side wall panels.i e i A main object of the invention is to provide a 4flat folding boxwhich is easily openable into rectangular shape and which permitseffective sealing by simple means so that it may be used as a packagefor liquid and flowing goods if choosing a proper wall material.

Thus, the flat folding box of the invention is characterizedsubstantially therein thattwo opposite congruent side wall panels,preferably broad-side wall panel-s, are interconnected also through apreferably rectangular end wall panel, which is hinged to eachbroad-side wall panel, through a transverse score line defining oneshort-side thereof and the length and Width dimensions of whichcorrespond to the widths of the broad-side and thenarrowside wallpanels, respectively, and that the adjacent ends ofsaid narrow-sideafallpanelsand of 4said end` wall panel are interconnected throughcorner portions each hinged to 'the narrow-side wall panel and/ or theend wall panel along the entire panel width through, in each case, anend score line defining the corresponding panel short-side, saidnarrow-side wall panels and said end wall panel each having a centralscore line parallel to the respective panel long-sides and extendingboth along the entire panel length and across the corresponding portionsof the adjacent corner portions, said narroweside wall panels, said endwall panel and said corner portions being doublefoldable insideface-to-inside face about said central score lines to fold dat thefolding box in a plane parallel to said broad-side wall panels, and,furthermore, said corner portions each having two diagonal score linesextending 'rom each an individual adjacent broad-side wall panel corneracross the corresponding portion of the corner portion, about whichdiagonal score lines said corner portions are double-foldable insideface-to-inside face, thereby to permit unfolding of the double-foldedend wall and narrow-side wall panels into fiat state when setting-up theiiat folding box.

The invention also relates to a filled and sealed package produced fromthe dat folding box as well as to method and apparatus for producingsuch package.

In the following the invention will be described in greater detailreference being made to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. l illustrates a developed blank of a preferred embodiment of a flatfolding box according to the invention to be used as a liquid package,FIG. 2 being a perspective view of such embodiment.

FIGS. 2a and 2b are enlarged views in perspective of upper and lowercorner portions of the box as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 illustrates, in perspective, the various steps involved in`setting-up, filling and sealing the at folding box shown in FIGS. l and`2.

FIG. 4 is a view, in perspective, of a filled and sealed packageproduced from the flat folding box. i

FiG. 5 is a View, in perspective, illustrating how the package of FIG. 4is handled when emptying same.

rates Patent O ICC FIG. 6 illustrates a developed blank of anotherembodiment of the flat folding box of the invention, FIG. 7 being aperspective view of Asuch embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a developed blank of a third embodiment of the iiatfolding box of the invention, FIG. 9 being a perspective View of suchthird embodiment.

FIGS. l0 and l1 are two schematic perspective views ofy an apparatus forsetting-up, filling and sealing flat folding boxes of the kindillustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, inclusive.

The flat folding box, which is shown incompletely liatfolded lin FIG. 2and opened into rectangular shape in FIG. 3 primarily intended for usein packages filled with liquid or owing goods and is thought to beproduced through folding a sheet blank shown developed in FIG. l alongscore` or folding lines and joining the edges of such blank. The iiatfolding box is intended for a right-angled parallelepipedon package andcomprises in the -iirst place four pairwise congruent and pairwiseopposite rectangmlar side wall panels A, B, C and D of equal lengths andhingedly corrected to each other `through four parallel longitudinalscore lines l defining the side wall panel longsides. A

In addition, ,the broad-side wall panels A and B have their short-sidesinterconnected through two rectangular end wall panels E and F, whichare hingedly connected each to one of the broad-side wall panels A andB, respectively, through a transverse score line t defining therespective short-side thereof and the length and width dimensions ofwhich cor-respond to the widths of the broad-side wall panels A and B,and the narrow-side wall panels C and D, respectively. p

The adjacent ends of the narrow-'side wall panels C Vand D'and the endwall panels E and F are interconnected through corner portions G. Saidcorner portions are hingedly connected each to both the narrow-side wallpanel C or D and the end wall panel E or F along the entire panel widthand in both cases through a respective end score line tt or l definingthe corresponding panel short-side. e

The narrow-side wall panels C and D and the end wall panels E and F eachhave a central score line m parallel to the respective wall panellong-sides, i.e=. to the longitudinal scorelines l and the transversescore lines t, respectively, said central score line extending bothalong the entire wallpanel length and across the entire correspondingportion of the adjacent corner portionG. As apparent particularly fromFIG. 2, the narrow-side wall panels C and D, the end wall panels E and Fand the corner portions G are foldable upon themselves insideface-to-inside face about said central crease lines m for flat-foldingof the folding box in a plane parallel to the broad-side wall panels Aand B. I

ln addition, the corner portions G each have two diagonal score lines dextending from each an individual adjacent ,broad-side wall panel corneracross the entire ycorresponding portion of the corner portion G, saidcorner portion-s being foldable upon themselves inside faceto-insideface about said diagonal score lines to permit unfolding of the end andnarrow-side wall panels E and F, and C and D, respectively, fromdouble-folded into fiat state when setting-up the folding box. p

Of the narrow-side wall panels C and D and the end wall panels E and Fthe panels D, E and F are assumed to be produced each through joiningtwo panel sections D2 and D1; E1 and E2; and F1 and F2, respectively,along seam zones J and j, respectively. rPhe seam zones I and j areextended over the adjacent corner portions G which, thus, are producedthrough joining at least a pair of corresponding seam zones I and j. Thenarrow-side wall panel C, however, is integral and merely divided intotwo congruent Wall panel sections Cl and C2 through the correspondingcentral score line mi.

ln the present case, the associated seam zones I and 1' are sealed toeach other inside face-to-inside face, and the iin-like seam liap thusproduced is turned over `to lie against the folding box outside therebyto form a solcalled overturned or back seam. In certain cases, however,normal seams of the overlapping type may be used. ln a seam of that kindthe associated seam zones are joined inside face-to-outside face in aconventional overlapping relationship.

As shown in FiG. 2, the seam zones I are wider than the associated seamZones j, the result being that the seam Zone l, which is outermost seamZone of the back seam in question, will extend beyond the inner seamzone j and may have its free inside face sealed to the correspondingportion of the box outside. Furthermore, the seam zones j are eachthrough an individual seam score line b parallel to Va correspondingcentral score line m divided from the respective wall sections D1, E2,F2, Gl and GZ. In a seam of the normal overlapping type, of course, saidseam score lines b, which in the finished folding box shown in detail inFIG. 2 substantially coincide with the corresponding central score linesm, should be dispensed with. Also in back seams, the seam Zones J and jmay,

of course, be of equal widths of the overlapping seal feature of theseam zone I is `dispensed with.

The corner portions G each comprise two congruent straight paralleltrapezoids Gl., G2 and Gl, G2 hingedly connected to each other along thetwo diagonal score lines d forming the trapezoid legs. The parallelsides of said parallel trapezoids Gl, G2 and Gl, G2 are formed by theend score lines l and t', respectively, and by free cut edges s and s',respectively. The central score lines m and the seam score lines b areperpendicular to the corresponding end score lines l and t and dividethe corner portions G each into for substantially congruent rightangledparallel trapezoids Gl, Gl, GZ and G2 connected to each otheralternatingly through a diagonal score line d and a central score line mo-r seam score line b. When folded upon itself about the diagonal scorelines d each corner portion G .forms an isosceles parallel trapezoid earflap having the corner portion sections G1 and G2 lying flat insideface-to-inside face against the corner portion sections Gl and GZ,respectively.

FIG. l illustrates a `developed flat sheet blank for the ilat foldingbox shown in FlGS. 2 4and 3. Said flat blank is viewed from its insideto be in said figure and is of a substantially rectangular shape. Thelongitudinally extending score lines l and l are parallel to each otherand are situated in such a way that each longitudinal score line l ateach end continues in an end score line l'. Each such composite scoreline l', l, l extends across the entire blank, the extensions extendingacross the seam zones I or j in question. Similarly, the transversescore lines t and the end score lines t are parallel to each other andform two Icomposite score lines t', t, t', t, t each extended across theassociated seam zones. The transverse and longitudinal central scorelines m and seam score lines b are parallel to said transverse andlongitudinal score lines, respectively, the diagonal score lines denclosing an angle of therewith. The cut edges s and s are parallel tothe longitudinal score lines l and the transverse score lines t,respectively, and are arranged in such a way that the cut edges s and sin the flat-folded state of the folding box will define substantiallycongruent square cuts, one at each folding box corner, and in the set-upfolding box, when the corner portions G are folded upon themselves aboutthe diagonal score lines d, will together form -a straight double cutedge. In the states intermediate the states of the corner portions Gbeing folded upon themselves along the central lscore lines m and thediagonal score lines d the cut edges s and s of each corner portion Gdene a substantially rhomboid opening O symmetric to the diagonal scoreline plane and the central score line plane.

`between successive blanks. is easily obtainable by means of the saidrectangular `notches along the web tube edges.

The flat blank comprises a sheet or foil material of sufficientstiffness to provide buckling tendencies for reasons to be `discussedbelow. ln the folding box type in question particularly shown in FlGS. 2and 3 and in the iirst place intended for liquid packages, at least theinside face of the blank is coated completely with a heat scalablecoating impervious to liquid. Preferably, the flat blank consists of alaminate of e.g. paper and plastic, the plastic forming the inside faceand the paper'the outside face and the body.

The flat blank may be punched out of sheet material and when punchingbeing provided with the required score lines in conventional manner.Regarding the score lines it should be noted that in case of laminateblank material the score lines should be impressed from that face of theblank to form the inside face of the finished flat folding box, i.e.that the scoring patrix should be applied from said face. This willprevent the laminate from tending to delaminate at the correspondingfolds of the flat folding box and ofthe finished package.

However, the blanks of folding boxes of the kind in question might aswell be scored in and punched `out of web material. lf, in the flatblank shown in FIG. 1, the associated seam zones I and j parallel to thetransverse score lines t and t are of equal widths a plurality of suchflat blanks forming a continuous web may be obtained through scoring andpunching a web ofthe blank material. In that `case the web width willcorrespond to the total length of the composite transverse score linest', t, t', t', t, t'. From such web, when iiat, rectangular pieces arepunched out between successive blanks, thereby to make the punchedapertures to define the previously mentioned cut edges s and s. inaddition, the web is provided with score lines corresponding to thescore lines t, t', l, l', d, m, and b. The individual blanks, however,are not separated from each other, but the web is folded upon itself,inside -face-to-inside face and along the -central score line m dividingthe wall panels C into two uniform sections.

Thereafter, the longitudinal seam zones J and j may be joined insideface-to-inside face through heat sealing or glueing, and the seam tinthus obtained may be folded over labout a corresponding seam score lineb. This will result in a blank web in the form of a ilat tube havingrectangular notches along its two longitudinal edges. Of course, it isalso possible in such tube web to join the double transverse seam zonesl and j of adjacent folding box blanks, said seam Zones being superposedon each other in inside face-to-inside face relationship.

In case of a web comprising a fibrous material such as paper, of course,the main fibre direction thereof should be taken into considerationthereby in conventional manner to `orientate the iibre directiontransversely of the flat yfolding boxes and not along their lengthdimension. Therefore, in case of fibrous webs the panel C of the blankaccording to FIG. l should form the end wall panel of the finishedIfolding box.

The folding box blanks may be supplied in roll shape to the packagingmachine, where, preparatory to settingup the folding boxes, the blanksthereof are separated one by one from the tube web through transversecuts The registeringV of such cuts Depending upon whether or not thetransverse seam zones l and j have been joined already whenmanufacturing the blanks, the seam zones in question will be joined toeach other or the corresponding seam ns will merely be folded over abouttheir seam score lines b in connection with the separation of the blanksfrom the web.

Obviously, the just-indicated way of producing folding box blanks in theform of a flat tube web is applicable exclusively to folding box blankshaving a so-called back seam in the longitudinal direction of the web to'be produced. Instead of through folding a fiat web upon itself the tubeweb may also be obtained from two flat webs, which are superposed oneach other inside faccio-inside face eg. after the punching and scoringoperations and which are joined into back seams along their twolongitudinal edges. Of course, this will add another seam to theindividual folding boxes.

In case a flat tube web is out of question, there still remains thepossibility of a normal flat blank web or of a fiat blank web foldedupon itself along a central score line m dividing a continuous side orend wall panel into two uniform sections. This will increase the numberand complexity of the operations preparatory to the folding boxsetting-up in relation to those just-described with respect to the tubeweb blanks.

In FIGS. 3 and 4 is illustrated how the fiat folding box shown in FIG. 2will open into package shape. It is assumed that the finished package befilled with a liquid filling material and that hence the inside of theflat folding box is coated with a layer of heat scalable plasticmaterial impervious to liquid.

The first phase of the setting-up will separate the broadside wallpanels A and B either through subjecting them to outwardly directedforces acting perpendicular to the planes of said panels A and B or, asindicated in FIG. 3, through applying inwardly directed forces Pparallel to the planes of the broad-side -wall panels A and B e.g. tothe central score lines m of the narrow-side wall panels C and D. Acombination of such measures is also possible, as will be describedfurther below.

The result of said application of forces will be that the flat foldingbox will open into parallelepipedon shape thanks to thebuckling-stiffness of the blank material. During such conversion thecorner portions G will fold upon themselves about the diagonal scorelines d, thereby to form ear portions projecting laterally substantiallyin the planes of the adjacent end wall panel E or F. The notches definedby the cut edges s and s of the flat folding box will facilitate suchdouble-folding of the buckling-stiff material.

In the next phase the two ear portions formed by the corner portions Gadjacent to the end Wall panel F forming the package bottom wall as wellas one of the two remaining ear portions are sealed closed byapplication of a sealing pressure H and simultaneous supply of sealingheat thereto. Preferably, the heat sealing is carried out in a narrowzone extending across the entire ear portion parallel to the respectivescore lines l and t.

The package is now ready to be filled with liquid without any risk ofleakage thereof through the corner ear portions. The filling takes placethrough the aperture O of the remaining unsealed ear portion, saidaperture, through application of pressure to the adjacent corf ners ofthe two broad-side wall panels A and B, preferably being opened into itsrhombic shape, so that a filling pipe may be introduced into theinterior of the package without diiiiculty.

Subsequent to the filling operation also said remaining ear portion issealed closed in the same way as the other ear portions were.Preferably, the ear portions as sealed closed are folded inwardly to lieflat against and secured to the respective adjacent narrow-side -wallpanels E and D, as illustrated in FIG. 4. However, in the finishedpackage it is also possible to leave at least one ear portion projectingfrom the package body, thereby to constitute a handle permitting easylifting of the package out of a transport case containing a plurality ofpackages in closed stacking relationship.

FIG. 5 illustrates how a filled package of the kind in question isemptied. When emptying the package one of the ear portions serves as apouring spout after removing a portion thereof through cutting ortearing along a line behind the sealing zone. In case of packages forliquid foodstuffs it may be suitable and necessary to cover at least oneear portion of the nished package with a strip or the like, as shown bythe cover strip Q in FIG. 4. This will permit opening of the package atsaid ear portion and pouring of the contents therefi through underadequate hygienic conditions. In `that case the same ear portion mayalso `be provided with suitable tearing or other -opening facilitieswhich said cover Strip Q may seal oli` effectively during thedistribution of the package.

In case of packages for products in pieces not reasonably introduceableinto the set-up folding box through an ear portion aperture O theinvention provides fiat folding boxes to be filled through an openingcorresponding to the inner cross-section of the folding box as set-up.For obtaining such opening the flat folding box should be modied withrespect to the one shown in FIG. 2 in such a manner that, before thefilling operation, it is completely open at one end thereof which Willthen correspond to a split end wall panel not yet united.

FIGS. 6 and 8 illustrate two different embodiments of fiat blanks forsuch a at folding box, FIGS. 7 and 9, respectively, illustrating how thecorresponding packages are sealed closed after filling. For sake ofsimplicity, for said two embodiments use has been made of the samereference letters and numerals as those employed in FIGS. 1 to 5,inclusive, above discussed, and therefore the description may be limitedto commenting on the differences.

Since the two fiat folding boxes corresponding to the blanks of FIGS. 6and 8 shall be open at one end thereof the corresponding end wall panelsF lack the central scoring line m. The folding box shown set-up in FIG.7 is intended, when sealing closed, to have its two end wall panelsections F1 and F2 corresponding to the opening joined to each other innormal overlapping relationship, and therefore said end wall panelsections have no seam score line b. When sealing closed the folding boxshown set-up in FIG. 9 the two end wall panel sections F1 and F2corresponding to the opening are joined in an overturned lin or backseam `as were the narrow-side wall panel sections lCI and C2; and D1 andD2, respectively, and hence, one end wall panel section F1 has a seamscore line b extending into and across the adjacent corner portionsection G1. As shown in FIG. 8, the end wall panel section FI providedwith a seam score line b is of considerably less width than the end`wall panel section F2, the corresponding portion GI, G'l of the adjacentcorner portions G thus in the present case lacking the previouslydescribed rectangular aperture defined by cut edges s and s but instead,for facilitating the folding-over of the seam zone defined by the seamscore line b of the end wall panel section F1, having a triangular notchn or the like having one of its cut edges along the correspondingdiagonal score line d and its apex at the point of intersection betweensaid diagonal score line and the seam score line b in question.Depending upon the width of the end Wall panel section F1, thepreviously described rectangular or correspondingly shaped aperture mayappear in the portion G1, G'1 of the corresponding corner portion G.

When opening the two flat folding boxes shown in FIGS. 6 to 9,inclusive, on the whole the same procedure is carried out as with the atfolding box according t0 FIGS. 1 to 5, inclusive. Thus, the folding boxis opened into parallelepipedon shape and the ear portions at the bottomend wall panel F are sealed closed. On the other hand, the two sectionsFI and F2 of the opposite end wall panel F as Well as the correspondingcorner portions G form an upwards open extension of the parallelepipedonpackage cavity defined by the narrow-side wall panels C and D and thebroad-side Wall panels A and B.

In such state of the folding box the filling material is introduced intothe same through said extension. The filling material may comprise abody of e.g. a deep-frozen product and of a shape corresponding to thatof the package cavity,

Subsequently, first one end wall panel section F1 is folded inwardlyover the filling material and thereafter the other end wall panelsection F2, so that simultaneous- 7 ly the corresponding corner portionsG are folded upon themselves about their respective diagonal score linesd, thereby again to form ear portions laterally projecting in the planeof the end wall panel F. The inward folding of the end wall panelsections F1 and F2 is eected eg.

Vthrough plates 1 and 2., respectively, as shown in PEG.

7, the package being moved along such plates. After the inward foldingoperation or in connection therewith the end wall panel sections Fl andF2 as well as the corner portion sections Gl and GZ are joined to eachother through pressure and heat. At such joining operation and in caseof the package as shown in FlGS. 6 and 7, the counter-pressure means mayconsist of a plate 3, which, as the package moves along the plates 2 and3, will be slipped below the end wall panel sections Fl and F2 byinsertion through the aperture O of the meeting or leading ear portionparallel to the plane of the end wall panel F and by leaving the packagein a similar way through the aperture O of the corresponding rear ortrailing ear portion.

ln the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9 use may be made of a counter-pressuremeans in the form of a platedto be passed between the end wall panelsection Fl and the folded-over seam zone thereof when the end wall panelsection F1 has been folded inwardly into its final position.

In both cases, after said joining operation there will only remainsealing closed the two top ear portions, said sealing operation beingcarried out in a way similar to that one above-described in connectionwith the firstmentioned embodiment of the flat folding box according tothe invention. 'If desired, in addition to the operation thus fardescribed the ear portions may be folded over to lie against and besecured to the respective narrow-side wall panels C and D, thereby toincrease the rigidity of the package obtained.

ln FIGS. 10 and ll there has been illustrated a packaging machine bywhich at folding boxes of the kind shown in FIG. 2 areV set-up, filledwith liquid, and sealed closed.

From a horizontal supply S of vertically standing flat folding boxes thesame are fed one by one into each an individual pocket 6 of a transferturn-table 7. When fed into its pocket each folding box has to movebroadsideways through a guiding channel 8 of a cross-section conicallytapering from that of the supply 5 into that one corresponding to thefolding box broad-side cross-section, the fiat folding box hence, in themanner illustrated in FIG. 3, being successively opened into itsparallelcpipedon shape with its four corner portions G horizontallyprojecting as ear portions. folding box through said guiding channel Sis provided by two suction nozzles 9 and lil which are arranged radiallyinside the transfer turn-table and exert a suction force on the adjacentbroad-side wall panel of the folding box.

tum-table 7 being adapted in such a way to the constant rotation of thefilling head that there is no speed difference when a pocket 6 of theturn-table is opposite to a pocket 12 of the filling head ll. Therefore,by suitable means such as a plate 13, a folding box in the transferpocket 6 may be transferred into the filling pocket 12. The fillingpockets 12 are formed in two horizontal and parallel annular lianges 14and l5 of the filling head lll. The spacing between the top face of theupper annular flange 14 and the lower face of the lower annular flange15 corresponds substantially to the package height in question and thepockets l2 proper are constituted of vertically aligned congruentrectangular notches lo and 17 in the annular flanges M and l5,respectively, said l notches being of a size corresponding to thepackage crosssection in question. Thus, when the folding box in its Theforce necessary for urging the set-up state is introduced in the fillingpocket, the two upper ear portions will overlap the adjacent portion ofthe top face of the upper annular flange .114, the bottom ear portionsengaging the underside of the lower annular flange l5.

With each filling pocket l2 are associated three heat sealing flaps i9,2li and Ztl of which one flap i9 is swingable upwards from an inactivevertical position into a horizontal one, in which it by each one of itstwo sealing shoulders 22 and 23 applies sealing pressure andV suppliessealing heat to each an individual one of the two bottom ear portions ofa folding box in the pocket l2, the annular flange l5 serving as acounter-pressure means. The other two sealing shoulders 2d and 2l areseparately swingable downwards from an inactive vertical position into ahorizontal one in which they supply sealing heat to each an individualone of the top ear portions of the folding box in the pocket l?, andtogether with the upper annular liange 14 apply the proper sealingpressure thereto.

The first phase of the filling and sealing procedure will cause thelower sealing flap i9 and one upper sealing flap 2t? to seal closed thecorresponding ear portions. The flaps i9 and Ztl still assuming theirsealing positions, the folding box, at that corner of its outwardlyfacing broadside panel corresponding to the unsealed ear portion, issubjected to a pressure force substantially perpendicular to saidbroad-side panel, said force being applied by a pressing arm 24associated with the filling pocket l2. This will open the aperture O ofsaid unsealed ear portion into'rhombic shape.

As soon as this opening phase has been completed a filling pipe 25associated with the filling pocket l2 is introduced into the folding boxthrough said opened aperture O, and thereafter the filling operationwill start.

When the proper filling material quantity has been introduced into thefolding box, the filling pipe 25 will retract into its inactiveposition. In connection therewith or earlier also the pressing arm 24will retract from its working position.

Now the ear portion hitherto unsealed is sealed closed by the sealingflap 2l in the saine manner as with the other upper ear portion.

By means of plates 2n and 27 the filled and sealed package is deliectedfrom the filling head lll and simultaneously the sealing flaps i9, Ztland 2l of the filling pocket l2 are swung into their inactive positions,thereby to prepare the pocket l2 for receiving a further set-up foldingbox from the transfer turn-table 7 The sealed package is passed onto aconveyor 2d on which it is carried broad-sideways and betweenlongitudinally' extending plates 2t?, 3ft, 3l and 32 arranged to foldthe projecting ear portions to lie fiat against and adhesively securedto the respective narrow-side panels. Before folding the ear portionsdownwardly and upwardly, respectively, an adhesive will be applied ontothose faces thereof to engage said narrow-side panels, such applicationbeing carried out by means of applicator nozzles 33 and 34,respectively, situated along the conveyor 28.

The machine as described should be considered but as a possibleembodiment for setting-up, filling and sealing the folding box of `theinvention. The necessary modifications for adapting the machine to thoseembodiments of the fiat folding box illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 9,inclusive, as well as to folding box blanks in web form will be obviousto anyone skilled in the art.

Although, the three above-described embodiments of the fiat folding boxaccording to the invention assume that the corner portions Garerconnected to a narrowside wall panel C or D and an end wall panel Eor F they might as well be connected to a broad-side wall panel A or Band an end wall panel E or Within the scope of the invention it is alsopossible to dispense with the hinged connection between a corner portionG and either the adjac nt side wall panel A, B, C or D or the adjacentend wall panel E or F through dispensing the corresponding transversescore line t and the corresponding end score line t', respectively. Thiswill cause the corner portion G in question as at folded upon itselfabout the diagonal score lines d to be contained in the same plane asthe respective adjacent side wall panel A, B, C or D or the end wallpanel E or F, the corner portion in such case not being intended to befolded to lie at against the folding box body proper.

I claim:

1. A flat folding box of buckling-stiff card-board material and of thekind to be opened into a right-angled parallelepipedon package andhaving four pairwise, congruent and opposite elongated side Wall panelsof equal lengths hinged to each other along four parallel longitudinalscore lines defining the long sides of said panels, said pairs of saidopposite side wall panels being broad and narrow relative to each other,said pair of said broadside panels being interconnected also through anend wall panel hinged to each broad side panel along a transverse scoreline dening one short side thereof, the length and width of said endpanels corresponding to the widths of the broad-side and narrow-sidewall panels respectively, the adjacent ends of said narrow-side wallpanels and said end wall panels being interconnected through cornerportions, each said corner portion being hinged to both the narrow-sidewall panel and the end wall panel along the entire widths of said panelsby end score lines defining the short side of the corresponding panel,said narrow-side wall panels and said end wall panels each having acentral score line parallel to the long side thereof and extending forthe entire length thereof and across the corresponding section of theadjacent corner portion so that said narrow-side wall panels togetherwith said end wall panels land said corner portions are outwardlyfoldable upon themselves in an inside face-toinside face manner forflat-folding said folding box in a plane parallel to said broad sidewall panels, said corner portions being each provided with two diagonalscore lines extending each from an individual adjacent broad side wallpanel corner :across the corresponding section of the corner portion,said corner portions being outwardly foldable upon themselves about saiddiagonal score lines in an inside face-to-inside face manner thereby topermit unfolding of the double-folded end and narrowside wall panelsinto a at state when setting-up the flat folding box, said cornerportions also being each provided with a central aperture forfacilitating the doublefolding thereof about said diagonal score lines,and each said central aperture being deiined by cut lines parallel tosaid end score lines.

2. A flat folding tbox according to claim 1, characterized therein thatsaid broad-side Wall panels, along their four sides, are interconnectedthrough two narrow-side wall panels and two end walls panels, theadjacent ends of said four narrow-side and end wall panels beinginterconnected through -four corner portions.

3. A flat folding box according to claim 1, and having a bottom end wallpanel and two corresponding corner portions, characterized therein lthatits opposite iilling end, is provided with end closing aps hinged tosaid broadside wall panels and said narrow-side wall panels,respectively, along corresponding transverse score lines and end scorelines and to each other along longitudinal end score lines, said endclosing flaps in the set-up state of the folding box being foldable andjoinable to form a top end wall panel similar .to said bottom end wallpanel and two top corner portions similar to said bottom cornerportions, said top end wall panel `formed lacking said central scoreline.

4. A package produced from a tlat folding box according to claim 1,characterized therein that, 'for yielding package ear portions, saidcorner portions are folded upon ythemselves about said diagonal scorelines thereof and sealed closed for preventing lling material fromescaping out of the package interior.

5. A package according to claim 4, characterized therein that at leastthose sealed ear portions at the package bottom end extend parallel tothe respective narrow-side wall panels.

6. A package according lto claim 4, characterized therein that -at leastthose sealed ear portions at the package bottom end are folded to lieagainst and secured to the respective narrow-side wall panels.

7. A package according to claim 4, characterized therein that at leastthose sealed ear portions `at the package bottom end are folded to lieagainst and secured to the respective end wall panel.

8. A package according to claim 4, characterized therein that at leastone of said ear portions is provided with an easily removable protectingfoil or the like for securing hygienic conditions when opening thepackage through separating therefrom a section of the ear portion inquestion for obtaining a pouring opening therein.

9. A package according to claim 4, characterized therein that a-t leastone of said ear portions is provided with a tearing weakness line or thelike for facilitating the removal of a section of or the entire earportion for obtaining a pouring opening.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,147,651 Scudder July 20, 1915 1,816,985 Morris Aug. 4, 1931 1,994,923Ross Mar. 19, 1935 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,088,221 France Mar. 4, 1955

1. A FLAT FOLDING BOX OF BUCKLING-STIFF CARD-BOARD MATERIAL AND OF THEKIND TO BE OPENED INTO A RIGHT-ANGLED PARALLELEPIPEDON PACKAGE ANDHAVING FOUR PAIRWISE, CONGRUENT AND OPPOSITE ELONGATED SIDE WALL PANELSOF EQUAL LENGTHS HINGED TO EACH OTHER ALONG FOUR PARALLEL LONGITUDINALSCORE LINES DEFINING THE LONG SIDES OF SAID PANELS, SAID PAIRS OF SAIDOPPOSITE SIDE WALL PANELS BEING BROAD AND NARROW RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER,SAID PAIR OF SAID BROADSIDE PANELS BEING INTERCONNECTED ALSO THROUGH ANEND WALL PANEL HINGED TO EACH BROAD SIDE PANEL ALONG A TRANSVERSE SCORELINE DEFINING ONE SHORT SIDE THEREOF, THE LENGTH AND WIDTH OF SAID ENDPANELS CORRESPONDING TO THE WIDTHS OF THE BROAD-SIDE AND NARROW-SIDEWALL PANELS RESPECTIVELY, THE ADJACENT ENDS OF SAID NARROW-SIDE WALLPANELS AND SAID END WALL PANELS BEING INTERCONNECTED THROUGH CORNERPORTIONS, EACH SAID CORNER PORTION BEING HINGED TO BOTH THE NARROW-SIDEWALL PANEL AND THE END WALL PANEL ALONG THE ENTIRE WIDTHS OF SAID PANELSBY END SCORE LINES DEFINING THE SHORT SIDE OF THE CORRESPONDING PANEL,SAID NARROW-SIDE WALL PANELS AND SAID END WALL PANELS EACH HAVING ACENTRAL SCORE LINE PARALLEL TO THE LONG SIDE THEREOF AND EXTENDING FORTHE ENTIRE LENGTH THEREOF AND ACROSS THE CORRESPONDING SECTION OF THEADJACENT CORNER PORTION SO THAT SAID NARROW-SIDE WALL PANELS TOGETHERWITH SAID END WALL PANELS AND SAID CORNER PORTIONS ARE OUTWARDLYFOLDABLE UPON THEMSELVES IN AN INSIDE FACE-TOINSIDE FACE MANNER FORFLAT-FOLDING SAID FOLDING BOX IN A PLANE PARALLEL TO SAID BROAD SIDEWALL PANELS, SAID CORNER PORTIONS BEING EACH PROVIDED WITH TWO DIAGONALSCORE LINES EXTENDING EACH FROM AN INDIVIDUAL ADJACENT BROAD SIDE WALLPANEL CORNER ACROSS THE CORRESPONDING SECTION OF THE CORNER PORTION,SAID CORNER PORTIONS BEING OUTWARDLY FOLDABLE UPON THEMSELVES ABOUT SAIDDIAGONAL SCORE LINES IN AN INSIDE FACE-TO-INSIDE FACE MANNER THEREBY TOPERMIT UNFOLDING OF THE DOUBLE-FOLDED END AND NARROWSIDE WALL PANELSINTO A FLAT STATE WHEN SETTING-UP THE FLAT FOLDING BOX, SAID CORNERPORTIONS ALSO BEING EACH PROVIDED WITH A CENTRAL APERTURE FORFACILITATING THE DOUBLEFOLDING THEREOF ABOUT SAID DIAGONAL SCORE LINES,AND EACH SAID CENTRAL APERTURE BEING DEFINED BY CUT LINES PARALLEL TOSAID END SCORE LINES.